Disconnecting switch



July 29, 1952 LEQPQLD 2,605,370

' DISCONNECTING SWITCH Filed Dec. 22, 1950 I6 20 22 14 2a 32 .50 2a 14 20 I6 Inventor:

Patented July 29, 1952 Otto Leopold, Lohfelden, hearkassel, Germany, assignor to Licentia Patent-Verwaltungs-G. In. 7 7

b. H., Hamburg, Germany Application December 22, 1950, Serial No. 202,214

In Germany January 29, 1949 r 20 Claims. 1 The present invention'relates to disconnecting or insulating switches, and more particularly to disconnecting switches for high voltage installations.

The present invention is intended in the first 1 line for open air installations.

-However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to disconnecting switches for Open air installations but can also be used for i'nstallationslocated indoors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a disconnecting'switch' having contacts capable ofcarrying highcurrent intensities-such as short circuit currents; 7

It is another object of the present to design the contacts in ranged manner. I i

It is a further object of the present invention to render the disconnecting switch resistant invention a simple and well-arformation, dust or acidic vapors It is a-still further object of the pres tmvem tion to provide adisconnectingswitch whichhas a high contact pressure in th e closing position thereof. 7 I

It is still another object of the present invenagainst the weather particularly; rain and ice 'tion' to provide a disconnecting switchin, which the contact pieces slide on eachotherduring thejclosing-motion of theswitchso'thatthe contact pieces are freed of dust or ice which may have formed as a-deposit thereon. A disconnecting switch according to the present invention consists in a disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair of movable arms, contact pieces arranged on the arms, respectively, the contact pieces being arranged with respect to each other for engagement at a predetermined relative position of the movable arms, the contact pieces being rotatable about the axes of the arms,

respectively, and resilient means opposing the 'ro- .tation of the contact pieces after engagement thereof.

Preferably the movable arms are hollow and the resilient means are arranged inside the arms and connected to the contact pieces so as to 'oppose the rotation of the contact pieces after engagement thereof. V A preferred embodiment of. the presentinvention comprises in combination, a 'pair of swingable hollow arms, contact pieces rotatably tion, each of the contact pieces including a pair in which-the latter just engage each other.

of diiferently shaped contacts, the contact pieces being rotatable after engagement thereof about the axes of the arms, respectively, the diiierently shaped contacts describing arcs of differ ent lengths about the axesof the arms during the rotation of the contact pieces, and resilient means arranged inside-the arms and connected to. the contact pieces so as to oppose the rotation of the contact pieces after engagement thereof. v f

Preferablythe differently shaped contacts are ,a hook-shaped contact and a substantially rodshaped contact having a length in the axial direction of the contact piece which is appreciably longer than the axial length of the hook-shaped contact, whereby the rod-shaped contact of one when the tubular arms are moved about the axes thereof, respectively, into substantial alignment with each other. A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises'a pair of parallel stationary members arranged at a distance apart from each other and a pair of ball bearings connecting the stationary members and'the tubular arms, respectively, M

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself. however,'both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood fromthe following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the-accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l'is a perspective side elevation partly in section of adisconnecting switch according to the invention; e v V Fig. 2 is'a' plan view of the outer ends of the arms carrying the contact pieces in a position Referring now to the drawings and first to Fig. 1, the disconnecting switch is mounted on top' of two insulators Ill arranged parallel-and at a distance apart from' each other, and com- 'ment with eachother.

3.4 limit these rotations.

ber I6 remains at rest, thus forming an axis of rotation for the pivotal motion of the associated.

arm. A flexible current lead Qilconnects the stationary connecting member It with the arm I i near the pivot thereof.

The arms M are designed as tubular members in which resilient means such as torsion springs 22,. only one of which is shown in Fig. 1, are ar ranged which are connected at one end thereof to clamping pieces such as 24 arranged at the end of the tubular arms I4 in the heads I2 where they are kept inposition by means of set screws such as 26.

The other ends of the arms M are connected to contact pieces 28 so as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, respectively, to which the other ends of the torsion springs 22 are rigidly connected, respectively. Each contact. piece 28 includes a hook-shaped contact 30 and asubstantially rod-shaped contact 32 having a length in the axial direction of the contact piece 28 which. is appreciably longer than the axiallength oi the hook-shaped contact 3B. A set-screw such as 34. arranged in the head I2 and a slot of the tubular arm it limits the rotation. about theaxisthereof; 1.

The operation of this device is.v as followsz ,When the switch is in the open position the tubular arms I4 are turned by the torsion springs 22 in the direction indicated by the arrows 36 until the tubular arms I4 are arrested gby the set screws 34, the torsion springs 22 being in this position slightly tensioned. I

If the switchis to be closed the arms I4 are swung about the vertical axis of. the stationary member I6 until they are in substantial align- During the beginning of the last part of this movement the contact pieces 28 come into engagement with each other as shown in Fig. 2 when the axis 40 of thearms i4 include angle .a with the line Alcormecting the pivots thereof. If the tubulararms I4 now move further on until they are inexact alignment with each other the arms rotateabout the axes thereof in directions opposite to those indicated by the arrows 35 until the set screws In consequence thereof, 7' the rodr-shaped contact/3.2 of one contact piece whichcame into engagement with the: leg of the hook-shaped contactSi) of thepther contact piece exerts'a relatively high contact pressure on the hookshaped contact. 39, therQd -shaped contact- 32 traversing a longer circular arc than the legof the hook-shaped contact in engaged by the same. Duringthis motion the arms are moved about their pivots, respectively, tlirough the angles a shown in Fig. 2; The contactsdisplace eachother-by. a -distance a" (Fig. 2);-op-,:

posite to the'direction of the-arrows 36, this distance controlling the magnitudebf the spring action and thusthe contact pressureii- Thus. it will be seen that in the closed position of the switch a contact pressure acting in the direction of the arrows 36 is obtained which is much larger than the contact pressure obtainable with the devices hitherto known. The high contact pressure guarantees a good contact and secures the lifting of any ice cover which may have formed itself on the relatively narrow contacts.

The flexible current leads 25 are so arranged that they do not impede the swinging movements of the arms I4 and the rotating movements about the axes thereof. Ice formed on the flexible current leads 26 cannot cause any disturbance.

The ball bearings i3 safeguard an easy actu ation of the arms It even under unfavorable atmospheric conditions.

It will be understood that each of the elements also find a useful application in other types of disconnecting switches difiering from the types described above. i

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in a disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, I do not intend tobe limited to the details shown, since various modifications. and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of my invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of my invention that'others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this, invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and-are intended to be comprehended within the meaning andrange of equivalence of the following claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: V

l. A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations', comprising in combination, a pair of movable arms; contact pieces arranged on said arms, respectively, said contact pieces being arranged with. respect to each other for engagement at a predetermined relative position of said movable arms, said contact pieces being rotatable about the axes oi said arms, respectively; and resilient means opposing the rotation of said con,- tact pieces after engagement thereof.

2. A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair of movable hollow arms; contact pieces arranged on said arms, respectively, said contact pieces being arranged with'respect to each other for engagement at a predetermined relative position of said movable arms, said contact pieces being rotatable about the axes of said arms, respectively; and resilient means arranged inside said arms and connected to said contactpieces so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof. 7 I

3. A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising'in combination, a pair of swingable hollow arms; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect to each other for engagement at a predetermined relative position of said swingable arms, said contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about'the axes :of saidarms, respectively; and resilient means arranged inside. said arms and connected to said contact pieces so as to oppose the rotation of said "swingable hollow arms; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatable about the. axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respectto. each other .for engagementat a predetermined relative position, each of said contact pieces including a pair of differently shaped contacts, said contact pieces being rotated after engagementthereof about the axes of saidarms, respectively, said differently shaped contacts describingarcs of. different lengthsabout the. axes of said arms during the rotation of said contact piecespxandiresilient means arranged inside said arms and connected .gagement at a predetermined relative-position,

each of said contact pieces including hookshaped contact and-a substantially rod-shaped contact having a length in the axia1 direction of said contact piece which is appreciably-longer than the axial length of said hook-shaped contact, said contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about the ax'es of said arms, respectively, whereby said rod-shaped contact of one of said contact pieces engages one leg of said hook-shaped contact of the-other of said contact pieces, and vice versa; and resilient means arranged inside said arms and connected to said contact pieces so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof.

- 6. -A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair of swingable hollow arms; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively,'soas to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with'respect to each other for "engagement at a predetermined relative-position of said swingable arms,' said contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about the axes of said arms, respectively; and torsion springs arranged inside said' a'rm's, respectively,

and connected to said contact pieces, respectively, so asto oppose the rotation of said cont'actpieces after engagement thereof;

.1 3 7. 'A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair of swingable hollow arms; contact pieces connected .-gagemen't at a' predetermined relative position, each of said contact pieces including a pair of differently shaped contacts, said contact pieces being rotatable after engagement thereof about theaxes of said arms, respectively, said difierently-ishaped contacts describing arcs of different lengths about the axes of said arms during the rotation of, said contact pieces; and torsion springs arranged insidesaid arms, respectively, and connected to said contact pieces, respectively,

.so as to oppose the rotationof said contact pieces after engagement thereof. 8. A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in'combination, a pair of swingable hollow arms; contact pieces connected jtogsaid arms, res pectively,so as to .be rotatable about the axes ofsaid arms, saidcontactpieces 'eachrofjsaid contact. pieces including a hook,- shapedcontact and; a substantially rod-shaped contact having a lengthinltheaxial direction of saidcontact piece which is appreciably longer 5 than=the:.axial?length of said hook-shaped contact, said contact pieces being rotatable afterxencg'agement thereof about the axes of said arms, respectively, whereby. said rod-shaped contactof one of saidcontact pieces engages one leg of said.

hook-shaped contact of the other ofxsaid contact pieces','and:vice versa; and torsionspringsarranged inside .saidarms, respectively, and connected totsaid contact pieces, respectively, so as ito' oppose therotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereofw I v 9.:'A.idisconnectingswitch for high. voltage installations,comprising in combination, a pair ofa'swin'gable, tubular arms; contact pieces connected to; said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatable about-the axes of. said arms, said contact pieces vbeingsarranged with respect to each other for engagement'at a predetermined relative positionof said swingable arms, said contact @pieces being-rotated after engagement thereof sabout' th'ezaxes-iofx said arms, respectively; and ltorsion-springs arrangedinside said arms, respectively, and connected tosaidcontact pieces, respectively, so as toioppose the rotation of said contactipieces after engagement thereof.

10. 1A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair .of' swingable tubular arms; contact pieces connected to-said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatableabout'the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect-to each ,otherfor engagement at a predeterminedrelative position, each of said contact pieces including .a .pair of difiere'ntly'shaped contacts, said contact pieces being rotated after engagement 40 3 thereof about the axes of said arms, respectively. -sai d differently shaped contacts describing arcs of-different lengths aboutthe axes of said arms during the rotation of said contact pieces;i and 2torsiontspringsarranged inside said arms/re- P spectively,sand: connected to said contact pieces, respectively, so as, tooppose the rotation ofsaid contact pieces after engagement thereof,

11.'A:disconnecting switch for high'voltage installations, comprising in'combination, a pair ,iof. swingable tubular arms; contact pieces connected to said arms; respectively, so as to be rotatable about theaxes of said arms, said con- .tact pieces-being arranged with respect to each I :other for engagement at-a predetermined relative position, each of 'zsaidconta'ct' pieces including a;hook-.-'shaped contact and a substantially rodshap'edr-contact having a' length in the axial direction *of' said contact piece which is appre- .=cia.blylonger thanithe axial length of said-hookshaped contact,.said contact piecesbeingrotated rafter engagement thereof about the'axes of said iarms; respectively, wherebysaid rod-shaped contact of one of said contact pieces engages'one leg of said hook-shaped'contact of the other of 1; said contact pieces, and vic'e versa; and torsion springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, andconnected to said contact pieces, respecti-vely, so as-to oppose the rotation of said contact piecesafter engagement thereof. 70 "'12. A disconnecting switch-for high voltage installations, comprising" in combination, a pair of swingable tubular arms; a pair of swingable flexible currentfleads connected to said arms, respectively, contact pieces connected to said '7 arms, respectively, so as,to be rotatable about the after engagement thereof. 7 16-. A disconnecting switchifor'high voltage iiiaxes of said arms, said contact pieces being arofsswingable tubular arms; flexible current leads connected to, said arms, respectively; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively,so.

as;.:to be rotatable about the. axes of. saidarms,

.saidcontact pieces being arranged with respect to'each other for engagement ata predetermined relativeposition, each of said. contact pieces: in-

--cluding'. ,a .pair of differently shaped contacts,

said contact..,pieces: being. rotated aiterengagement, thereof about the axes: of said arms, respectively, said diiierentlyshaped contacts describing arcsof diiferent lengths about the'axes .of said arms'during. the rotation of said contact pieces; anditorsion springs arrangedv inside said abouttheaxes of said arms, said cbntactpieces bein zparranged with respect to each other'for engagement at a predetermined relative-position,, each ofsaid contact pieces including a hooksshaped contact and a substantially rodshap d contact having a lengthxin. the axial direction of said contact piece whichisf appreciably longer. than the, axial lengthof said hookshaped contactsaidcontact pieces being rotated after; engagement thereofabout the: axes ofsaid arms, respective1y,: wherebysaid rodshaped con- ;tact ofone :of saidcontactFpiecesengages one leg of.;said;hook:-shaped contactofl the other .of said contact pieces, and vice. .versa; and

torsion springs arranged insidesaid, arms, re-

spectively, and connected to said-contact pieces, respectively, so as to opposenthe rotation of said .contact pieces after, engagement. thereof.

15. A disconnecting switch for high. voltage of. tubular arms having longitudinal axes and being arranged for, pivotal motion about parallel axes, respectively, ,jdisposed at right angles. to the longitudinalaxes of said tubular arms; contactpieces connectedto said arma'respectiveIy,

, so as to be rotatable aboutthe axes of said arms,

said contact pieces being arranged with respect .to each other ior'enga ement whensaidtubular arms are moved aboutthe parallel axes, respectively, into substantial, alignment .with ;each other, .saidcontact pieces being; rotated .after 7 engagement thereof" about the longitudinalaxes 'of said arms, respectively; and torsion, springs arranged inside said arms,.-respectively, and connected to 's'aidflcontact pieces, respectively, so'as to oppose thefrotationof. said contact pieces stallations, comprising in combination, a pairof tubular arms havinglongitudinal axes and being arranged for pivotal motion about parallel axes,

respectively, disposedat right angles to the 'lon-* installations, comprising in combination, a pair gitudinal axes of saidtubular arms; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectivelyso as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect to each otherfor engagement when said tubular arms aremoved about the paralle1 axes, respectively, into substantial alignment'with each other, each of. said contact pieces including apair of. difierently shaped contacts, said. contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about the longitudinal axes of said; arms, respectively, said differently shaped contacts .describing arcsof different lengths about the longitudinal. axes .of

said arms during the rotation ofsaid. contact pieces; and torsion, springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, and'connected-to said contact pieces, respectively, soias to oppose. therotation of said contact pieces after engagementthereof. 17., i i-disconnecting switch-for high. voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pairs-oi tubular arms having longitudinal axesand being arranged for pivotal motion about parallel axes, respectively, disposed at-right angles to the longitudinal axes of. said tubular. arms; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectivelmso'as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arrangedwith respect to each other for engagement when; said tubular arms are moved about the parallel axes; respectively, into substantial alignment with each other, each of said contact pieces including a hook-shaped contact and a substantially rod-shaped contact having a length in the axial direction of said. contact piece which is appreciably longer than the axial length of said hook-shaped contact, saidicontact pieces being rotated .aiter engagement thereof about the longitudinal axes of said arms, respectively, whereby said rod-shaped contact of one of said contact pieces engages one leg of said hookshaped contact of the other of said contact pieces, and vice versa; and torsion springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, and connected to said contact pieces-respectively, so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof.

18. A disconnecting switch for high voltageinstallations, comprising in combination, a pair of parallelstationary members arranged ata distanceapart from each other; a pair of tubular arms arranged for pivotal motion about said parallel stationary members.;respectirely; I a pair of ball bearings connecting saidstationary members and said tubular arms, respectively; contact pieces connected .to said arms, respectively, so. as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect to each other for-engagement when said tubular arms are moved about said stationary members, respectively, into substantial alignmentwith each other, said contact pieces being rotated after engagemen't thereof about the axes of said arms. re-

spectively; and torsion springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, and connected to said contact pieces, respectively, so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof. I

7 l9. Adisconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, "a pair of parallelvstationary members arranged ata distance. apartfrom each other a' pair of" tubular arms arranged for pivotal motion about said parallel stationary members, respectively; a pair of ball bearings connecting-said stationary members and said tubular arms, respectively, contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect to each other for engagement when said tubular arms are moved about said stationary members, respectively, into substantial alignment with each other, each of said contact pieces including a pair of differently shaped contacts, said contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about the axes of said arms, respectively, said difierently shaped contacts describing arcs of diflerent lengths about the axes of said arms during the rotation of said contact pieces; and torsion springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, and connected to said contact pieces, respectively, so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof.

20. A disconnecting switch for high voltage installations, comprising in combination, a pair of parallel stationary members arranged at a distance apart from each other; a pair of tubular arms arranged for pivotal motion about said parallel stationary members, respectively; a pair of ball bearings connecting said stationary members and said tubular arms, respectively; contact pieces connected to said arms, respectively, so as to be rotatable about the axes of said arms, said contact pieces being arranged with respect to each other for engagement when said tubular arms are moved about the axes thereof, respectively, into substantial alignment with each other, each of said contact pieces including a hook-shaped contact and a substantially rod-shaped contact having a length in the axial direction of said contact piece which is appreciably longer than the axial length of said hook-shaped contact, said contact pieces being rotated after engagement thereof about the axes of said arms, respectively, whereby said rod-shaped contact of one of said contact pieces engages one leg of said hook-shaped contact of the other of said contact pieces, and vice versa; and torsion springs arranged inside said arms, respectively, and connected to said contact pieces, respectively, so as to oppose the rotation of said contact pieces after engagement thereof.

O'I'I'O LEOPOLD.

N 0 references cited. 

